Chapter 9: The Big Reveal, Darling!

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Huaguo, Capital City, Deliberation Hall.

A dozen or so influential figures sat together, embroiled in a heated dispute over a certain matter.

The director of the Chemical and Battery Technology Research Institute was fiercely debating against a crowd of scholars, his argument at full force.

“Battery technology is of paramount importance now!”

“Electric vehicles, unmanned devices, even extraterrestrial exploration—what project doesn’t rely on battery technology? How can such a crucial project be stopped just like that?”

“What are you trying to do? I suspect someone among you has an ulterior motive!”

“Where’s the security office? Those who approved the projects—investigate them all!”

He Jiaxun’s voice was hoarse from shouting; he glared angrily at the sullen project approval officials.

That very morning, as usual, he went to the lab—only to be struck by a thunderbolt from a clear sky.

Their advanced solid-state sodium battery trial project was abruptly shut down; the entire experimental team was awaiting reassignment.

Seeing the notice, he flew into a rage on the spot.

Time is life. Huaguo had painstakingly built up an industrial edge in battery technology, and yet it was halted just like that.

Without a reasonable explanation, he even suspected—no, he was certain—that there was a foreign spy among the approval committee!

“Old He, Old He, don’t get so worked up. Isn’t this meeting meant for discussion?”

Sitting beside him, the director of the Robotic Power Research Group sipped tea calmly but with a dagger hidden behind his smile, immovable as a mountain. He tried to soothe the tension: “Everyone here has had their projects halted. Isn’t this meeting to clarify the reasons?”

“Come on, let’s hear what excuses you can come up with.”

“If those reasons don’t convince us, we’ll have to write directly to the top authority.”

“Hmph, my exoskeleton integrated transmission system project was also stopped. I really don’t know what you’re thinking.”

“...”

At the discussion, all the experts were on edge.

Everyone present had clearly had their projects terminated.

For those who regarded research as life, their anger was palpable.

“Please calm down, please calm down. The halting of your projects is not by our own will.”

Wu Youde, the head of the project review group and former president of the National Academy of Sciences, used his prestige to barely control the gathering of senior scientists.

Sweat beaded on his forehead.

What were the military officials doing? Why hadn’t they arrived yet?

If these old veterans started a commotion, the entire scientific community of Huaguo would tremble.

“If it’s not your will, then is it the order from above?!”

He Jiaxun glared at Wu Youde, who always annoyed him, and sneered with cutting sarcasm: “I heard you bought a house in the US. I think you’re the problem.”

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“Hey, Old He, I just went to the US for a tech conference and visited some American colleagues. Those paparazzi took photos, pure slander. And you’re getting all worked up about it?”

Wu Youde was somewhat helpless.

The attendees were all equally prominent in their respective fields, especially Old He, who always found fault with him.

To prevent this meeting from turning into a shouting match between him and Old He, Wu Youde had to reveal some information.

“This matter really is a directive from above. Everyone, look at the document—it’s signed by the top authority, genuine and indisputable.”

As the documents circulated, everyone saw the bold red seal.

Originally ready to rant, He Jiaxun calmed down.

“The reason?”

“Tap, tap, tap—”

The familiar sound of military boots echoed as soldiers entered.

Wu Youde exhaled and relaxed: “Here comes the explanation. Everyone, take a look!”

“Bang!”

The meeting room’s door was pushed open.

Two squads of fully armed soldiers in combat uniforms marched in.

“Block all signals. Inform the airport to intercept all radio waves here. Notify the intelligence department to scramble the US monitoring satellites.”

Chen Limin was the last to enter.

He said nothing, silently moving to the window, signaling a sniper in the opposite building before drawing the curtains closed.

“Wow, what a show. So, what’s the explanation?”

The fully equipped soldiers were distributing telegrams and activating signal jammers.

Such a grand display didn’t intimidate He Jiaxun, a seasoned veteran. He sneered, eager to hear what reason the higher-ups had after hearing so many projects.

“Security officers, distribute the confidentiality agreements.”

After confirming the scene was secure, Chen Limin gave the order before beckoning.

Click, click, click—

A small cart was slowly pushed into the room, covered entirely by a black cloth, shrouded in mystery.

“Xiao Chen, you’ve kept us waiting so long. Let’s see what you’ve got.”

Wu Youde himself didn’t know why these projects were halted; he was simply following orders.

He, too, was curious.

“What is it? Why the secrecy?”

Without hesitation, He Jiaxun swiftly signed the confidentiality agreement.

Muttering to himself, he vowed that if this thing didn’t convince him, he would escalate the matter all the way to the top authority.

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“Director Chen, confidentiality agreements have been collected!”

The security officer carefully filed the documents, saluted, and stepped aside.

“Everyone, the reason the top brass decided to pause your research is because of this!”

Chen Limin said, then suddenly pulled away the black cloth covering the cart.

Before them stood a sleek, jet-black exoskeleton, its design both smooth and robust, with heavy armor plating on the chest—an all-encompassing exoskeleton suit.

“This is...”

He Jiaxun stared in shock at the exoskeleton, as if it had stepped out of a science fiction novel, his mouth agape and voice choked.

He was speechless with astonishment.

“This is the Type 23 exoskeleton battle armor, equipped with a new model battery, capable of mounting multifunctional launch platforms. Its hydraulic clamps exert about one ton of force, and in combat conditions, it can operate continuously for a week.”

Chen Limin’s tone was stiff, as if reading from a script.

But to the scientists present, it sounded like a dream.

A directly deployable exoskeleton battle suit?

This must be a lie.

In today’s world, no exoskeleton even remotely compares to the Type 23.

Moreover, there had been no prior news about research of this kind domestically.

Could it be...

“This is the work of the Military Research Institute. The battery, transmission, system control, human-machine interface, and balance systems are all top-tier.”

“The order from above is to civilianize part of these technologies.”

“You are to halt your current projects and start research based on these more advanced technologies.”

“This order takes effect immediately.”

Chen Limin gave no time for reaction, covered the exoskeleton again, and was about to leave when he suddenly remembered something.

“By the way, the technical details are held at the Military Science Academy. You must collect them in person.”

“Also, henceforth, all participating laboratories will be under the supervision of the Military Science Confidentiality Institute.”

“This is a necessary measure to prevent the loss of advanced technology. We hope for your understanding.”

Having said this, Chen Limin departed.

Left behind were the scientists, their eyes now gleaming with excitement.

New, more advanced technology was now available for their research.

How could they not be thrilled?!